The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has decided to extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards, known as Green Cards to a total of 36 months, for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
Through a statement, the agency said that from the new changes can benefit those who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card, VisaGuide.World reports.
USCIS has updated the language on Form I-90 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date on the face of the current Green Card for individuals with a newly filed Form I-90 renewal request.
The recent decision, as confirmed by the agency, became effective on September 10, 2024.
The agency said that these notices can be presented along with an expired Green Card as proof of continued status as well as employment authorization.
The new changes by the agency are expected to help applicants who are subject to long processing times after they receive proof of lawful permanent resident status while waiting for their renewed Green Cards.
If you no longer have your Green Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Green Card, you may request an appointment at a USCIS Field Office by contacting the USCIS Contact Center, and we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file Form I-90.
Long Waiting Times for US Green Cards
The Green Card permits internationals to move to the US permanently and stay there legally. Its holders are eligible to find jobs and settle down with their families.
Green Card holders are eligible to travel in and out of the United States, however, they are not permitted to stay outside the US for over one year, or their Green Card will expire and they will be required to undergo the application process once again.
In spite of the increasing interest in the US Green Card, a report from the Cato Institute revealed that only three per cent of applicants are likely to obtain a green card in the US this year. The survey revealed that there is a backlog of about 34.7 applications.
According to a survey from the Cato Institute, the total caps are to just under 1.1 million for fiscal year 2024.